The present invention relates to a biofeedback device for providing a wearer with instantaneous and continuous information about their posture. The device comprises a sensor unit affixed to the wearer, an attachment element affixed to the wearer, an elastic cord extending between the sensor unit and the attachment element, and movement of the elastic cord due to incorrect posture actuating an indicating device. The biofeedback device further comprises a power pack separate from the sensor unit.
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16. A biofeedback device comprising:
a sensor unit affixed to said wearer; an attachment element affixed to said wearer; an elastic cord extending between said sensor unit and said attachment element; means for indicating incorrect posture by movement of said cord due to incorrect posture; and said elastic cord actuating said indicating means when tension in said elastic cord is relaxed.
17. A biofeedback device comprising:
a sensor unit affixed to said wearer; an attachment element affixed to said wearer; an elastic cord extending between said sensor unit and said attachment element; means for indicating incorrect posture by movement of said cord due to incorrect posture; and said indicating means being actuated when tension in said elastic cord is relaxed and when said elastic cord is pulled.
20. A biofeedback device comprising:
a sensor unit affixed to said wearer; an attachment element affixed to said wearer; an elastic cord extending between said sensor unit and said attachment element; means for indicating incorrect posture by movement of said cord due to incorrect posture; and said sensor unit having a planar base, an apex portion, and two sloping sides extending between said apex portion and said base.
1. A biofeedback device comprising:
a sensor unit affixed to said wearer; an attachment element affixed to said wearer; an elastic cord extending between said sensor unit and said attachment element; means for indicating incorrect posture by movement of said cord due to incorrect posture; and said sensor unit being secured to the medial border of a first one of the wearer's scapulas and the attachment element being secured to the medial border of a second one of the wearer's scapulas.
13. A biofeedback device comprising:
a sensor unit affixed to said wearer; an attachment element affixed to said wearer; an elastic cord extending between said sensor unit and said attachment means; means for indicating incorrect posture in response to movement of said cord due to said incorrect posture; wherein said elastic cord is connected to a switch connected to said indicating means and said elastic cord causing said switch to actuate said indicating means when incorrect posture occurs; said switch comprising a first contact plate, a second contact plate connected to an arm with a threaded end, a coil spring within said sensor unit surrounding a portion of said arm, and said elastic cord being connected to said threaded end of said arm.
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The present invention relates to a biofeedback device which provides instantaneous and continuous feedback to a wearer about their posture. The device of the present invention allows a wearer to become aware of present posture and enables the wearer to change positions via cortical control.
Understanding the biomechanical influence on physical function is key in the treatment of musculoskeletal disabilities and the enhancement of athletic performance. In rehabilitation, physical training and biofeedback are extensively utilized in muscle reeducation and relaxation.
Over the years, a number of posture training devices have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,168 to Miller et al. illustrates one posture training device which includes an electrically conductive plate divided into two contact zones and slidable upon a support base of one housing section of the device. One end of the plate is operatively connected to a body harness cable extending around the longitudinal axis of the body from the pubis to the scapula, while the other end of the plate is electrically connected to spring-biased cable winding mechanisms. The two zones of the plate are separated and electrically insulated from each other by a predetermined gap which extends along the plate with a predetermined curvature or rectilinearly at a constant slope, and another slidable plate, having a contact member disposed therein, is similarly provided within another housing section with a harness cable at one end thereof, which cable extends laterally about the chest area of the patient, and is operatively, electrically connected to a spring biased cable winding mechanism at the other end thereof through means of the contact member. The electrically conductive plate and contact member of the second plate serve as a single-pole, double throw switch and common contact member respectively, and the relative movement of both plates, as defined by the contact member and the zones of the electrically conductive plate, serve to open or close a signal emitting circuit so as to accurately indicate the assumption of a proper or improper postural position or condition by the patient, independent of the respiration of the patient. In another embodiment of the Miller et al. device, rotary potentiometers are used.
Another posture training device is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,998 to Chaillou. The posture training device comprises a belt worn on the body of the user to remind the user to maintain good posture. The posture belt has a buzzer housing and an elongated belt. One end of the belt is detachably connected to the buzzer housing and the other end of the belt is connected to structure for actuating the buzzer alarm that forms part of the buzzer alarm circuit mounted within the buzzer housing. The buzzer alarm is actuated when the belt is distended due to improper posture.
Still another belt posture training device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,423 to Fernandez. The Fernandez device includes a housing which contains an alarm and sensing mechanism, a one-piece belt fastened at one end of the housing and attached to one of the legs of a four-sided round-wire ring at the other end via a flat hook, the length of the belt being adjustable via a slide ring. When the wearer's waist is in a contracted position, there is no alarm since the circuit is not completed; however, when the waist is expanded and the belt has been preadjusted such that in this enlarged condition the leaf spring completes the electric circuit and actuates the alarm in the housing.
Yet another belt posture training device is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,984 to Roldan. In this device, a predetermined amount of tension in a belt around the wearer's waist closes a switch and activates a buzzer, vibration motor, or other indicating means in the belt buckle of the belt. The amount of tension required to achieve the closing of the switch is adjustable.
Despite the existence of these devices, there remains a need for a device which provides instantaneous and continuous feedback to a wearer about their posture.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a feedback device which provides instantaneous and continuous feedback to the wearer about their posture.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a feedback device as above which is compact and self-contained and which can be applied and used during physical activity and training.
The foregoing objects are attained by the feedback device of the present invention.
In accordance with the present invention, the feedback device comprises a sensor unit affixed to the wearer, an attachment element affixed to the wearer, an elastic cord extending between the sensor unit and the attachment element, and movement of the elastic cord due to incorrect posture actuating an indicating device. The biofeedback device further comprises a power pack separate from the sensor unit.
Other details of the biofeedback device of the present invention, as well as other objects and advantages attendant thereto, are set forth in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals depict like elements.
Referring now to
Referring to
Referring now to
If desired, the switch 26 may be arranged to operate in the opposite manner, activating when tension on the elastic cord 16 is relaxed rather than when the elastic cord is pulled. This configuration can be used in physical training of relaxation techniques, or when the specific application requires this type of activation.
In yet another variation, the switch 26 may be arranged to operate in both directions activating when tension on the elastic cord is relaxed and when the elastic cord is pulled. This configuration trains the user to maintain a specific position.
Referring now to
In a variation of the device 10, as shown in
The power pack 12, if desired, as shown in
In yet another variation of the device of the present invention, as shown in
In still another variation of the device of the present invention, the indicating device 28 is omitted from the sensor unit and replaced by a buzzer in the power pack 12.
The device 10 of the present invention provides a number of advantages. First, it can be easily and comfortably be worn by a wearer during physical activity. Second, the elastic cord 16 allows free movement by the wearer without restraint by the device 10, and allows the device 10 to remain attached to the wearer over a wide range of motion. Third, the use of a vibration device to alert the wearer of undesired motion allows the device to be worn during normal activity without disturbing others around the wearer.
Other advantages to the biofeedback device of the present invention is that its small size allows the sensor unit 14 to be mounted directly to the body with adhesive tape and allows the sensor unit 14 to be worn under the clothing of the user so as to be unobtrusive during normal activity. The small size of the device 10 of the present invention is directly attributable to the use of a power pack 12 separate from the sensor unit 14. The threaded connection at the sensor unit allows very fine adjustments of the operation of the device 10. Each turn of the threaded end 29 of the arm 30 changes the length of the elastic cord 16 by only about 0.5 mm. The swivel 70 at the attachment element 18 allows for adjustment while the device is installed without removing the tape used to hold it on. Tests have shown that the swivel 70 does not rotate during operation of the unit, so the adjustment does not shift.
While it is preferred to attach the device 10 to the wearer using adhesive tape, any suitable means known in the art, including adhesive gels and other suitable adhesives, may be used to affix the sensor unit 14 and the attachment unit 18 to the wearer's body.
There has been provided in accordance with the present invention a miniature biofeedback device which fully satisfies the means, objects and advantages set forth hereinbefore. While the present invention has been described in the context of specific embodiments thereof, other alternatives, variations, and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art having read the foregoing description. Therefore, it is intended to embrace those alternatives, variations, and modifications which fall within the broad scope of the appended claims.
White, Steven D., Cascone, Roberta L.
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